Line #18 Heartwarming/FamilyMatters


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/screenshot_2022_01_25_122156_pm_2.png]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:"I love you, Mrs. Winslow."]]
3	Heartwarming moments in ''Series/FamilyMatters''.
4
5	* Fletcher's proposal to Estelle.
6	* After Steve and Myra survive a near-death experience, he realizes how much he really cares for her and decides to give up chasing Laura (for now, anyway) and let himself love Myra. He then gives her his Science Club Pin, and they kiss.
7	* When Steve and Stefan both propose to Laura and she can't decide, Steve [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy tells her he's moving to Russia with his parents so she can be with Stefan]]. This moves Laura so much she tells Steve right then and there that she wants to marry ''him''.
8	** And the reason ''why'' they're in Russia and he isn't? In a previous season they abandoned him for a research project. That episode ends with the Winslows agreeing to look after him while they're gone.
9	* Eddie letting Waldo know, in no uncertain terms, that they'll always be best pals no matter where they go after high school.
10	* Waldo discovering [[HiddenDepths that he is an excellent chef]], which gives him a chance to be more than just the neighborhood idiot when he goes off to culinary school.
11	* When Maxine mistakenly thinks that Waldo is cheating on her with two other girls (not knowing that Eddie was responsible), the girls are so moved by Waldo's tears, not to mention disgusted by Eddie's attitude, that they go straight to Maxine and explain the truth.
12	* Eddie accidentally throws one of Laura's cherished dolls away, so Steve spends all of Christmas Eve looking for it at the dump. He finds it with the help of a dog.
13	* When neither Rachel or Carl could get Richie a Freddy Teddy for christmas, they decided to get him a bike. When they asked if he liked it, he said yes, but loves the Freddy Teddy he got more, Everyone is shocked and everyone is asking who got it, but if you look closely, you can see Steve isn't the least bit shocked or confused. It's probably hinting that he was the one who got the toy for Richie, but played it off as Santa did.
14	* Carl shows up for Steve at school when his own dad wouldn't, and Steve, in surprise, responds with "''Big guy''!" and glomps him.
15	* Steve starts a bone marrow drive to save a classmate of his who has leukemia, despite the fact that the guy is always bullying Steve. At the end, the classmate, touched that Steve did this for him even after all the bullying, thanks Steve and offers to buy him lunch.
16	* When Ted spreads fake rumors about him and Laura sleeping together, Eddie shows how much he cares for his sister. Confronting Ted in the hallway, Eddie slams him against the lockers and soon intimidates Ted into confessing to everyone that all he and Laura did was share a single kiss. Eddie is ready to do more but Laura stops him. Afterward, she gives her brother a good hug for helping.
17	-->'''Eddie''': You realize that according to the unofficial code of big brothers, I should expose you and your friends' vital organs to daylight?
18	* In one episode, Steve plays poker with Carl and his police pals. He initially loses badly to Murtaugh and didn't know they were playing for keeps. Carl gives Steve his own money to make him happy, but the nerd decides to get back in the game and get back at Murtaugh. He wins, even taking Murtaugh's prized watch in the process, but he opts to give it back.
19	-->'''Steve:''' I play for fun.\
20	'''Murtaugh:''' You're all right, kid. ''[salutes him]''
21	** At the end of the episode, Carl and Steve opt to cut the cards for a little bet. Steve has to stay away for six months if Carl wins, but can come over whenever he wants if he wins. Steve draws a three. Carl then draws, and he (and the audience, but not Steve) sees that he's gotten a face card and, without any kind of anger or disappointment in his voice-
22	--->'''Carl:''' Deuce. I lose.
23	* In ''The Love God'' episode, we see Steve Urkel interact with the school's ''easy girl'', Vonda, because Eddie wants him to tutor her in order to have a date with her. When they talk, Vonda reveals her actual friendly qualities as a person, leading to Steve wondering why she is willing to go so far as to be considered easy. She just wants to fit in, be popular with everyone. Steve wants her to think of her well being, as this could easily lead to a dangerous situation, and convinces her to change her ways, as who she is as a person will no doubt attract people for who she is, not what she gives. This convinces Vonda to change, with Steve even congratulating her on her new life, to which she eagerly accepts and thanks him for the encouraging words.
24	* In the Gun Safety episode Steve despite normally being a coward, has the guts to stay by Laura's side so she didn't have to go to school alone when a bully threatened her with a gun the day before.
25	* Upset with another failed chance at getting a foster family, 3J secretly hides out in the Winslows' attic. When they find 3J, they announce that they want to be his foster parents, and will speak with his case manager. Before he goes to share Richie's room, he hugs Carl and Harriette. Carl's face when he gets the hug really sells on the idea that he won't regret the decision.
26	** In a later episode, 3J is suspiciously doing a lot of extra chores (poorly) around the Winslow home. Harriette asks him about it, and he lets it slip he's worried he'll be sent back to the child shelter as he had been numerous times before. Harriette reassures him he's a part of the family.
27	* In "Presumed Urkel", Steve faces expulsion when a science lab he was working in is blown up. Who defends him? Laura does, who has a lot of reason to dislike Steve, but chooses to defend her friend, like the many times he's defended her and the Winslows. And Carl, who has dealt with Steve's mishaps more than anyone testifies in court, he tries to downplay the damage and also points out that while Steve has done damage, he's never ''lied'', so if he says he is innocent, he is innocent.
28	* In the last season, the episode when Eddie decides to become a cop. Earlier in the episode, Carl was less than thrilled to hear this, and an argument ensued. The SugarWiki/{{Heartwarming Moment\|s}} comes when Carl takes Eddie to a bar, points out former cops who have been maimed in the line of duty, and asks Eddie whether he still wants to be a cop. When Eddie says yes, Carl tells him to stand up and introduces him as the newest member of the force, to the applause of everyone present. Doubles as a SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome.
29	** During the scene where Eddie drops out, one of the things he lists in his desired career is "Working with people he admires". It's quite obvious he's talking about Carl.
30	* During the episode "Daddy's Little Girl," Laura develops a crush on Carl's attractive new partner Mike. Carl doesn't handle it well, and embarrasses his daughter in front of Mike. He later comes to Laura's room to make up, and a heartwarming speech ensues, complete with Laura's old CompanionCube [[Creator/HumphreyBogart Humphrey]] [[PunnyName Bear-gart]], which Carl won for her at the county fair when she was six.
31	* Richie is pretty depressed in "Deck the Malls" when he learns Rachel won't be able to fly in from Detroit for Christmas. Eddie takes it upon himself to drive all night so she can be home with everyone else.
32	-->'''Eddie:''' It wouldn't be Christmas if the whole family wasn't here, now would it?
33	** Steve got Carl and Harriette a portrait of Eddie and Laura.
34	--->'''Carl:''' Well, you know something, Steve? There's only one thing wrong with this photograph.\
35	'''Steve:''' What's that?\
36	'''Carl:''' You're not in it.
37	** Carl gets roped into being a MallSanta. After hearing various kids ask for gifts, a boy named Brian simply asks for a job for his out of work father. Carl is so moved and sympathetic that he gives Brian a card with his actual phone number on it, assuring the kid that his "personal friend" can be of help. Brian immediately gives him a hug. Carl later tells Laura he intends to get the man a job at the place he has the most influence: [[DonutMessWithACop Donut World]].
38	* In "Best Friends," Eddie hires Waldo to work at Mighty Weenie. Various mishaps ensue, and it looks like Waldo will have to be fired. Eddie isn't sure what to do, but after talking to Carl, he decides to play to Waldo's strengths: cooking. Things really turn around and Waldo later gives Eddie a ManHug.
39	-->'''Eddie:''' What was that for?\
40	'''Waldo:''' For not firing me. I was messin' up real bad, but you stood by me and found me a job I'm real good at. You're the best friend a guy could ever have, and I love you, buddy.\
41	'''Eddie:''' Well, you've always been a great friend to me. The least I could do is be one back.
42	* In "Hot Wheels," Carl buys a used a car for Eddie and hopes they can restore it as a father/son activity. Eddie would rather work with Waldo, but Harriette tells him how much it means to Carl. So, after six weeks of work, Carl and Eddie restore the car, and it runs very smoothly. Eddie thanks him for this and gives him a hug, but he says he has to go and pick up his best friend. Eddie drives about a foot down the driveway and then tells Carl to hop in.
43	* Estelle's story about getting her town library to allow people of color.
44	* After Carl is electrocuted and Steve saves his life via CPR, the Winslows begin treating him like royalty. He's a bit put off by this, especially after Eddie tells him, "Steve, you're a nerdy, annoying dweeb, but you saved my dad's life so the least I can do is tolerate you!" After thinking about that for a bit, he talks to Laura:
45	-->'''Steve:''' Tell me what you really think.\
46	'''Laura:''' Well...\
47	'''Steve:''' That I'm a nerdy, annoying dweeb, right?\
48	'''Laura:''' [[BluntYes Right]]... and I'm so lucky to have you as a friend. ''[she kisses his cheek]''
49	* When Steve manages to learn to how cook in the style of Teppenyaki, something that was honestly out of his control causes the restaurant to catch on fire. Steve is well-expected to be yelled at and fired for causing it (which he really didn't) and for making a mess of the restaurant (he did go overboard with putting the fire out). The manager not only told Steve to not worry about it, but thanked him for at least keeping the damage to a minimum (and even saw humor in it with a Flood Insurance joke). Steve was so touched that someone has shown great patience with him rather than firing him in a heartbeat, thanks him wholeheartedly.
50	* During season one, most episodes would have a small heartwarming moment, preceded with a change in the BackgroundMusic to tell the audience the comedy is over for the moment.
51	* A powerful heartwarming moment. The series' first Halloween episode has Laura and Steve get caught up in a bank robbery. At the episode's end, Steve confides to Carl that he feels like a coward because he couldn't do anything to protect Laura. Carl quickly assures him otherwise, explaining there's nothing cowardly about doing what's needed to protect your own life and others' lives. He then tells him that if Laura had to be trapped, he's glad that Steve was there to keep her safe and calm, which is heroic in its own way.
52	* In ''South of the Border", Carl, Eddie and Steve learn that Waldo has been arrested in a small Mexican town, and Carl is the one who suggest they all go down to get him back, without a second thought either. Not only that, when they all learned he's been imprisoned on such a meager charge and with a (supposedly) hefty fine, they all decide to break him out.
53	* After Steve and Laura see each other naked and Eddie forces them to talk it out, Steve admits to being afraid that Laura would ridicule him. She adamantly assures him "Steve. . .there wasn't ''anything'' to laugh about."
54	* [[https://youtu.be/kjktYbLMjHQ The final scene of “Random Acts of Science.”]]
55	* In "Choir Trouble", Rachel becomes the new choir director at the local church, but her overbearing attitude and strict rehearsals push the choir (and her own family members) to quit. Realizing the error of her ways, Rachel eventually apologizes for her behavior during service, and asks the choir for their forgiveness. Carl, Harriette, Laura, Eddie, and the rest of the members respond by joining her at the front to sing "Put Your Hand in the Hand" together, uniting as a choir once more. Even Steve, whom Rachel initially turned away for his poor singing voice, is warmly invited to join them for the song.
56	** Carl had spent the entire episode trying to get the big solo. At the end, he's the one who starts the song.
57	* In "Talk's Cheap", Harriette feels neglected when Carl ignores her romantic gestures to watch the news. After she calls him "the most unromantic man" she's ever met, Carl decides to redeem himself in the best way possible: by donning a tuxedo, lighting some candles in the living room, and serenading his wife with a rendition of "(They Long to Be) Close to You" (pictured above).
58	* In TheStinger from "Scenes from a Mall," Richie brings his new friend Lil' G over to meet Harriet and Carl. Lil' G then pays Richie, apparently having lost a bet, as Carl "does look like the father on ''[[Series/TheFreshPrinceOfBelAir Fresh Prince!]]''" [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETFtV_x9IRs And then]], who should walk through the front door but Creator/JamesAvery himself, in a surprise cameo? The heartwarming comes when Reginald [=VelJohnson=] looks absolutely DELIGHTED to see Avery: he collapses in excited laughter, then goes in for a huge hug and proudly introduces him to the studio audience. Seeing the two actors--both playing strong-willed [[GoodParents loving dads]] on the biggest Black sitcoms of their era--sharing a moment of genuine companionship and affection is enough to bring ManlyTears to the eye.
59	* In 'Out With the Old' Steve joins a kissing auction hosted by Laura's sorority, despite knowing that he might not be bid on. When he comes up to be bid on, Laura steps up and bids 100$ when it's clear no one else will. It doubles as an awesome moment when after the initial kiss, Laura goes back for a second, more passionate one.
60	* Estelle greeting the waiters and dancers at the local male strip club cheerfully and asking about their families, showing that she regards them as people, not pieces of meat.
61	* "We're Going to Disney World":
62	** At first, Carl can't enjoy his Disney vacation because he keeps thinking about work, but the moment he approaches the entrance to the Magic Kingdom (accompanied by lovely rendition of "When You Wish Upon a Star"), all of his worries wash away as he takes in the magic of the park.
63	--->'''Harriette:''' Carl? Carl, what's the matter?\
64	'''Carl:''' ''Nothing'', Harriette! This place is wonderful! I'm gonna have fun, Harriette! I'm gonna have FUN!

Context Heartwarming / FamilyMatters